Gazprom

Gazprom have control of 92% of Russia's gas production + is state owned

Dmitry Medvedev (current president) aims for Russia to become a world leader in the energy sector

Energy is considered to be Russia's economic/political weapon; Russia refers to it as an "instrument of foreign policy"

Energy Secure Nation

Declining in usage, however increasing in exports

If a country were to fall out with the Russian Gvnt. this could result in their gas being cut off

This would be the same if those supplied fell out with Gazprom--> Europe is supplied this way; everyone could potentially be cut off if one country came into conflict w/ Russia; Europe would then have no supply
--> Slovakia is dependant upon this supply, however have an unstable gvnt meaning they are vulnerable at losing it--> Ukranian supplies were cut off in 2008; Ukraine changed to a pro-West gvnt as opposed to pro-Russian = higher costs ($230/1000 cubic metre)
--> Belarus are on good terms with Russia/Gazprom = cheaper prices ($46/1000)
--> There can be indirect and direct affects all over Europe

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Gazprom Continued

East Siberia-Pacific Pipeline--> Japan + China are keen to have access to this supply; their resources are limited, but demand is growing
--> good geographical location + have funds to afford
--> originally, this pipeline instalment would have disrupted the home of the home of remaining Amur Leopards but was changed due to logistical, safety + environmental objections
--> Russian will have a new pipeline (may possibly supply N.America as well)
--> Russian however do see China as an economic threat due to their rapid economy growth (10% per annum)

From 1960 until present: 10m barrels of oil spilt; this does not make news in comparison to the Gulf Coast spill
--> oil seeped out due to no recognition/cleaning ever
during 50 years
--> no fish; oil covers river bed

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Niger Delta Continued

What?

- profit led extraction of oil from Delta for 50+ years --> leaking

Impacts?

Social - locals lost main source of food + income through loss of fish due to crude oil in rivers
- not benefiting from any money made + have seen no improvements

Political - nothing done due to poor connections; companies, (Shell), supply EU with oil
--> do not want to lose out, hence also do nothing

Environmental - all surroundings have been polluted
--> loss of habitat + wildlife - most areas covered in crude oil

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Niger Delta Players

Shell (TNC)

Nigerian Gvnt (member of OPEC)

Researchers (Marine Biologists)

Organisations (EU, UN etc)

Local people, (Farmers, Fishermen etc)

Environmental Pressure Groups, (FOE)

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Turning Canada Tar Sands Into Oil

What?

(In 2000-5, $86b+ spent on frontier hydrocarbons - difficult)

Oil reserves in tar sand forms could be 180b. barrels of oil

Commercial production began in 1967; only recently due to rising oil proces that Exxon Mobil, Shell + BP are interested